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Brexit was farmers’ main concern at Balmoral – Kenny

Speaking following a visit to the Balmoral Show in Lisburn,
Sinn Féin Agriculture spokesperson Martin Kenny TD said it is clear that
farmers North and South have the same problems and that Brexit solves none of
them.

Deputy Kenny said:

“There was a great crowd at Balmoral yesterday and the
majority of the people who I spoke to at the Sinn Féin stand were clear that
their main concern was what was going to happen after Brexit.

“It was very clear that farmers are worried, especially
about any hardening of the border and the implications that would have for the
centuries-old trade between North and South.

“Everyone agrees that the implications for Ireland are more
serious than in other parts of the European Union and that special status must
be achieved for the North as an imaginative solution that addresses the
complexities of the situation in which we find ourselves.

“This is not about a hard Brexit, or a soft Brexit. It’s about
the best interests of our economy, our peace process and our people. It is also
a democratic imperative.

“Special status would ensure the North’s trading
relationship with the rest of Ireland and the EU – particularly in relation to
business, tourism, the all-Ireland energy market, agriculture and agri-foods –
will be maintained.

“The people of the North have a right to citizenship of
Ireland and as such, a right to citizenship of the European Union.

“Sinn Féin would like to see a border poll in the
next five years and believes that the North’s membership of the European Union
should be automatic in a United Ireland.”